Day 3 - Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens

It may not be San Diego zoo, but there are some pretty interesting animals at the zoo. Some of my favorites are the giant aardvark, the penguins, and the stingrays. They periodically have cool events at the zoo, such as the recent DinoAlive exhibit with life-like animatronic dinosaurs.

My favorite part of the zoo is the somewhat new Asian Gardens section (the closest thing Jacksonville has to a Japanese garden). A cool thing about the Asian Gardens are the spritzing water machines if you head into the bamboo forest. Perfect to cool off during a hot day.

Check out their website: www.jacksonvillezoo.org

From my previous Yelp review:

There were so many cool animals. Of course you have the regulars -- giraffes, elephants, lions, tigers, and bears (oh my). But then they have some really odd creatures here, such as the Giant Aardvark, Pygmy Marmoset, and Poison Dart Frogs. Not to mention the scary Boa Constrictor snake and the big flat pancake looking frog (I don't remember its name).

Of course being the home of the Jaguars, they have the jaguar exhibit and the similar cheetahs as well.

There are also cool activities they have for kids throughout the year. I hear there is the Spooktakular event in which kids come in costume and carve out pumpkins.

Also, if the kids get tired of exhibits and want to run freely, they have a water play area, so make sure you bring some extra clothes they can slosh around in.

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Day 2 - Riverside Arts Market

After your trip to Downtown ArtWalk on the first Wednesday of the month, head to Riverside under the Fuller Warren bridge near Cummer Art Museum and Gardens. Riverside Arts Market is every Saturday.

Check out their website: www.riversideartsmarket.com

From my previous Yelp review:

This is such a great event to get the community together in a centralized location. It doesn't require an entrance fee, and there's plenty of FREE entertainment and activities, as well as food and crafts and stuff everywhere. Think of it as an even more barebones flea market where the vendors all bring in their own tables and canopies for their displays.

Among the entertainers, there was a band on the main stage area, as well as several street performers. We saw a 16-year-old juggler who played with fire, performing to DJ Earworm (haha I thought that was amusing in itself!), a duo guitarist and keyboardist, and a saxophone player, who noticed my son and started playing Happy Birthday. There was also a clown who made a giraffe for my son.

Yes, the entertainment is free, but the food and products are not. Heed Lyndsay's warning, and get some cash from the bank across the street.

As for food, there were vendors selling fresh fruits and veggies, but you could also get ready-made stuff, like Italian ices, Jamaican beef patties, freshly made brick-oven pizzas, funnel cake, and other fair-type eats.

People were showcasing their paintings and other artwork, selling their products (we bought a toy from one of the vendors), and raising awareness for some local charities and organizations.

Before we left, we ran into a booth for kids where they could make fossil rubbings or artwork. All for FREE of course.

There is plenty of parking within walking distance. We parked two blocks away.

My son and I both enjoyed Riverside Arts Market and hope to visit more often. A great way to enjoy a beautiful Saturday in the Florida weather.

Day 1 - Downtown Artwalk

I love Downtown Artwalk. It's every first Wednesday. It's well worth the trek to the city's urban core. Lots of art to see. Plenty of musicians to listen to, people to watch, places to eat, and things to do. This event is FREE and kid friendly for the most part. Just watch out for the artwork in the old library. It gets a bit edgy for young kids unless you're ok with them seeing nude artwork.

Check out their website: http://www.downtownjacksonville.org/Marketing/First_Wednesday_Artwalk.aspx

From my previous Yelp review:

There is so much to do during ArtWalk. A lot of restaurants that are usually open only for lunch extend their hours and MOCA keeps its doors open and visitors get in for FREE. Also, businesses in the area become temporary galleries for the night, displaying works from local artists.

The type of art usually featured in ArtWalk can range from realistic traditional styles to more modern and whimsical stuff. There are different types of art displayed from sculptures, paintings, photography, jewelry, etc.

The ArtWalk spans several blocks, [which includes the Landing], but most of the action happens around Hemming Plaza and Burrito Gallery areas. I don't know why.

Hemming Plaza becomes a hub buzzing with vendors and artists selling their goods and sometimes the drum circle is out there with the bellydancers or someone may be performing.

One spot to note is the old main library. It turns into a huge multi-floor gallery where people display their paintings, photography, and other artworks. Another impromptu gallery is an old fire station right across the street.

Next door to the fire station is Burrito Gallery, which is the unofficial gathering for hungry art enthusiasts looking for a quick cheap eat (they really LOAD their burritos here!). Bars are also doing special things during this event.

They used to allow people to walk around with open containers of alcohol, but I think that was changed. And there used to be free wine and snacks everywhere, but now some places charge for the wine. Crappy economy I guess.

If you miss this one, there are several other art walks around the area, such as the First Fridays in St. Augustine and another in Five Points and 3rd Thursdays at the North Beaches Art Walk in Atlantic Beach.